Automatic switch receptacle



March 12, 1940. w SCHNElDER 2,193,297

AUTOMATIC SWITCH RECEPTACLE Filed Sept. 27, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR mmva.

ATTORNEYS Mal ch 12, 1940. w. EI ER' 2,193,297

AUTOMATIC SWITCH RECEPTACLE Filed Sept. 27, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 al r INVENTOR ATTOR N EYS Walter Jfi chneider March 12, 1940. w $HNE|DER 2,193,297

AUTOMATIC SWITCI-I RECEP'I'ACLE Walter cf ,S chn aide/r INVENTOR ATTO RN EYS March 1940. w. J. SCHNEIDER AUTOMATIC SWITCH RECEPTACLE Filed Sept. 27, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 flalterd'fjchneid INVENTOR lllllllllllllllllll ATTO R N EYS March 12, 1940. w. J. SCHNEIDER AUTOMATIC SWITCH RECEPTACLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 27, 1938 i fialterffichqsgg er ATTD R N EYS Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES P'l'ENT QFFECE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to time controlled electric circuits and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved automatic switch receptacle.

An object of my invention is to provide an automatic switch receptacle designed for electrically connecting a source of current with electrically energized devices in which novel means are incorporated for closing and opening the electric circuit at preselected times. The device embodies a novel switch mechanism actuated through the medium of a time device. The time device comprise a conventional clock, and the automatic switch receptacle is so designed as to facilitate connection with the time device in such manner as to provide a compact unit. Means are also provided to permit manual actuation of the switch independently of the time controlled mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is an elevational View of my invention illustrating the clock end of the unit;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view illustrating the time setting feature with certain parts broken away for the sake of clearness;

Figure '7 is an elevational view of the switch on and off dials;

Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the time controlled mechanism operates to close the circuit;

Figure 9 is a sectional detail View of one of the manual controls;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a latch mechanism; and

Figure 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 8.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, 1 make use of a housing It which encloses the automatic switch receptacle mechanism l2. Adjacent one end of the housing it I mount a clock dial M, which end of the housing carries a it held in supporting relation with the flange 98 by a bezel 25 Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the housing it) as being provided with a floor 22 upon which the mechanism it is mounted as well as the clock motor 2 1, which clock motor may be of the conventional design employed in electric clocks. Housing H], as well as the floor 22, may be formed of sheet metal. Upon the floor 22 I mount two upright walls 26 interconnected at their upper ends through the medium of a cross wall 28. The lower ends of the walls 26 may be welded or otherwise secured to the floor 22.

Walls 26 are provided with bearings 3d, see Fig. 11, which rotatably support a shaft 32. Upon the shaft 32 I rotatably mount discs 3t and 36. Disc 34 may be set for closing the circuit at a preselected time, while disc 36 may be set for bringing the switch opening mechanism into operation at a preselected time. Collars 38 on the shaft 32 hold the discs 34 and 36 in spaced relation. Referring to Figs. 2 and 11, an arm lll is attached to the wall 28 and carries a short tube 42 at its lower end for housing a compression spring 44. Friction elements 46 are slidable inside the tube 42 and are urged outwardly by reason of the compression spring 414 to restrain the discs 34 and 36 from accidental rotation upon the shaft 32. Friction elements 46 may be pointed on their outer ends, as illustrated in Fig. 11, with the pointed ends extending into grooves 48 in the inner faces of the discs.

Discs 34 and 36 are provided with gears 5i! and 52, respectively. Gear 59 is in mesh with a gear 5 5 formed integrally with a sleeve 56 to one end of which I mount an on dial 55. On dial 58 is provided with numerals 60 in the nature of a clock face for indicating periods of time. Gear 54 is provided with a bevel gear E2 arranged in mesh with a small bevel gear 64 fixedly connected with a shaft 55 rotatable inside a sleeve 68 made secure to the wall ll! of the housing l0. Shaft 66 may be manually rotated through the medium of a knob 12 for setting the disc 34 for closing the switch at the selected time.

Rotation of the shaft 66 imparts rotation to the gear 54, the sleeve 56 and the on dial 553. At the same time, such rotation will impart rotary motion to the disc 34. On dial 5% is located adjacent the clock face M, which face is provided with a sight opening '14 for exposing the numerals 60. Inside the sleeve 5% I rotatably mount a shaft 16 to one end of which I connect the of? dial it. On ial E3 is dished at 8!] for housing the off dial 18, the face of the latter terminating flush with the numbered margin of the dial 58. Off dial it is provided with numerals 82 arranged in the nature of a clock face for indicating periods of time. Numerals 82 may be read through the sight opening M in the same manner as the numerals Ell, see Fig. 1.

To the opposite end of the shaft II; I fixedly connect a gear t4 arranged in mesh with the gear 52 on the disc 36 and provided with a bevel gear 86 arranged in mesh with a small bevel gear 28 keyed to a shaft 9E3. Shaft 95B is rotatably sup ported by a sleeve 92 fixedly connected to the wall Ill, and is provided With a knob $4 for turn ing purposes. Upright posts Q6 constitute supports and bearings for one end of the sleeve 56 and the shaft It, which posts may be welded to the floor 22. One post 9%; is positioned adjacent the on dial 523 to restrain the sleeve from longitudinal movement in one direction. Sleeve 5'5 is restrained from longitudinal movement in the opposite direction because of the close relation between the dial 58 and the clock face It.

Dial I8 has close fitting relation with the dial 58 so as to restrain the shaft I5 from relative longitudinal movement in one direction, while the close fitting relation between the dial i8 and the clock face I4 prevents relative longitudinal move ment in the opposite direction. Rotation of the shaft 99 imparts rotary motion to the dial i3 through the medium of the shaft It, while such rotation of the shaft I6 imparts rotary motion to the disc 35 for adjusting the same to open the switch at the preselected time.

Clock motor 25 drives a gear 98 fixed on a shaft Illfi which carries a fixed gear I82 arranged in mesh with a gear Ills fixedly related to the shaft 32. Shaft 32 rotates relatively to the discs 34 and 36. Upon the shaft 32 I mount a switch closing plate I9 5 which includes a sleeve I28 slidable longitudinally of the shaft. Sleeve Hit is integrally connected with the switch closing plate I66, and is slotted at Iii; for the reception of a pin H2 fixed to the shaft. Slot I Ill permits relative longitudinal movement of the sleeve Hi8 and its associated plate I86, but the pin I I2 keys the sleeve B8 to the shaft so as to connect the shaft and the sleeve for rotation as a unit.

Disc 34 includes a hub II4 provided with a notch IIES, while the switch plate IllIi carries a dog H8 shaped to fit in the slot He. The angular face I26 of the dog I I8 constitutes the leading face of the dog as the switch plate M18 is rotated through the medium of the clock motor 24. Thus the dog I I8 will move suddenly into the notch I I6 as the point of the dog is brought into registration with the notch. Such movement of t le switch plate H36 kicks the switch structure to its circuit closing position.

Means for shifting the switch plate IIIB longitudinally of the shaft as the dog H8 moves into the notch IIt comprises a compression spring i212. Spring I22 is mounted on the sleeve its with one end positioned. adjacent the switch plate lift and its opposite end abutting a compression collar I24 slidable longitudinally of the sleeve. Sleeve It'd rotates freely relatively to the collar I2 1. Collar I24 is grooved at I26 for loose- 1y receiving a ring I28 provided with pins I39 constituting pivots for arms I32. Arms I32 are bowed and connected into a unitary structure, at I36, with an arm I38. Thus the arms I32 and the arm I38 provide a bell crank.

Arm IE8 is pivotally connected at I453 to, a bracket M2 secured. to one of the upright walls 2%. Tension springs M l are connected with pins Md anchored to the collar I24, and the opposite ends of the springs are anchored to the adjacent upright wall as at M6. Springs M4 normally hold the collar I2 1 in the position of Fig. 8. In this position of the collar I24, the compression spring I22 is substantially fully extended so as to exert little pressure on the switch plate I06. In this position of the switch plate I06, the dog H8 may rotate freely relatively to the hub II4. Spring I22 is compressed for urging the switch plate H35 in the direction of the disc 34 by shifting the collar I24 to the position of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 10, one of the walls 22% carries two brackets I50 bored to slidably receive a push rod I52 extending through the wall "III and provided with a knob I54 to facilitate manipulation. The opposite end of the push rod I52 is provided with a hook I56 extending through a slot I53 in the arm I38 for actuating the bell crank. Brackets I50 are interconnected through the medium of a bar I provided with spaced abutments IE2 and I64. To the abutment I64 I fixedly connect a fiat spring I86 by a screw I66, which spring extends across a cam finger I'll fixedly related to the push rod I52. Figure 8 illustrates the normal position of the push rod I52, at which time the cam finger I'IEl lies upon the ledge I12 of the bar I60 and adjacent the face N4 of the abutment I62.

Hock I56 includes a head I18 rotatable inside a socket IBII in one end of the push rod, see Fig. 9. Slot I58 in the arm I38 is of sufficient length to constitute a pivotal connection between the two. parts in addition to permitting slight relative movement therebetween as the bell crank is pivotecl from one position to the other. However, slot I58 is of such limited proportions as to hold the hook I55 within the slot during relative rotary adjustment of the push rod I52. Push rod I52 may be shifted for bringing the cam finger lit to the position of Fig. 10 through counterclockwise rotation of the push rod against the tension of the spring I66 and an inward push on the rod sufficiently far to bring the finger I10 to the opposite side of the abutment IE2, at which time the spring I65 presses the finger I10 downwardly.

Adjustment of the push rod I52 to the position of Figure 10 compresses the spring I22 by advancing the collar I24 in the direction of the switch plate I06, see Fig. 3. At the same time, advancement of the collar I24 places the tension springs I44 under considerable tension. Collar I24 is latched in the position of Figure 3 because of the abutting relation between the cam finger I'IEB and the abutment I82. With the spring I22 compressed according to Figure 3, spring I22 exerts pressure on the switch plate I06 so as to throw the dog I I8 into the notch I I6 as the point of the dog is brought into registration with the notch. The point of the dog I I8 has pressure relation with the hub H4 and moves therealong, but the disc 34 is restrained from relative rotary movement on the shaft 32.

Bar I68 includes a right-angular bend I82 to which I pivotally connect a lever I84, as at I86. Lever I84 is pivotally connected with the bend I82 intermediate its ends, and one end of the lever is pivotally connected at I88 with a link I89 having a hook I92 loosely fitting inside the groove I84 in the switch plate I06. Plate I06 is free to rotate relatively to the hook I92.

To the opposite end of the lever I84 I pivotally connect a cam link I96, as at I98. Cam link I96 lies loosely in a groove I99 in the bar I12 and is provided with an angular end 200 arranged to. bear against the angular end 202 on the cam finger I'IIl. Figures 8 and 10 illustrate the relation between the cam finger I10 and the cam link I96 with the push rod I52 pressed in. As the shaft 32 is rotated through the medium of the clock motor 24, the dog H8 will be brought into registration with the notch H6, at which time the switch plate 106 is kicked in the direction of the disc 34. As the switch plate Hit: is kicked, the lever I84 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow 284 which advances the cam link 1% and elevates the cam finger lid above the abutment I62. As the cam finger lid is elevated above the abutment I62, the tension springs M4 return the collar I24 to the position of Fig ure 8. Such return of the collar I24 pivots the bell crank for pushing the rod 152 outwardly.

Referring to Figures 3 and the switch is indicated generally at 2'86. Figure 3 illustrates the switch in its off position and Figure 8 illustrates the on position. The switch comprises an insulated body 208 provided with openings 2!!) for the reception of the prongs of a conventional plug electrically connected with the circuit to be controlled. Contacts 252 are anchored in the body 268 and lie inside the openings 21a for connection with the prongs of the plug to be connected therewith. One of the contacts 252 is connected with a wire 2M extending through the body as at 2H5 for connection with a source of current. The other contact 2|2 is connected with a wire 2M3 electrically connected with a contact strip 22K! pivotally connected at 222 to the body 263. Body 208 carries a contact 224. ar ranged to be engaged by the contact strip 220 and electrically connected with the second wire 225 for connection with the source of current. Contact strip 226 is pivotally connected at 228 with a bar 22% extending transversely of the body 228. Bar is slidable longitudinally and has one end arranged to be engaged by the switch plate With the point of the dog H8 riding on the end of the hub H4, the switch plate N36 is held out of slightly spaced relation with the end of the bar 230, see Figure 3. As the dog H8 aligns with the notch H6, the spring 122 will kick the switch plate rec in the direction of the disc 34. Such movement of the switch plate I26 will kick the bar 230 to the right, as when viewing Figure 3, for moving the contact strip 22!! into contacting relation with the contact 224 to close the circuit.

To the contact strip 2%, I connect one end of a tension spring 232, the other end of which is anchored to the body 228. With the contact strip 220 positioned according to Figure 3, the pivot 222 is located to one side of the spring so as to yieldingly support the contact strip in the position of Figure 3. When the bar 2353 is kicked by the switch plate we, the bar 23K? is shifted to the position. of Figure 8 for electrically relating the bar with the contact 224. With the contact strip 228 positioned according to Figure 8, the spring yieldingly holds the contact in the position illustrated.

To the body 29% I pivotally connect a bell crank at 23%. One end of the bell crank is pivotally connected at 238 with the bar 239 and the other end of the bell crank is pivotally connected at with a rod 242 extending through the wall lit to be manually actuated through the medium of a knob 2M. Thus the contact strip 228 may be manually actuated independently of the time controlled mechanism.

With the bar 23!; positioned according to Figure 8, a second or opening switch plate 2% is positioned. in close relation with the end of the bar. Switch 2% is identical with the switch plate I06 and includes a dog 248 arranged to drop into the notch 25!] in the hub 252 carried by the disc 36. Switch plate 246 includes the sleeve 254 slidable on the shaft 32 and keyed for rotation therewith in the same manner as the sleeve M38. The collar 256 is slidable on the sleeve 254 and is arranged to compress the spring 258 in the same manner as the collar [24. A bell crank 251i is pivotally connected at 262 to the bracket 264 and is opcratively connected with the ring 266. Ring 266 is connected with tension springs 258 which correspond to the tension springs E44.

Bell crank 2% is connected with the push rod 21d, which rod extends through the wall "Ill and is provided with a knob 2T2. Push rod 210 is slidable and rotatably supported by the brackets 2M, and the rod carries a cam finger 2T6 pressed downwardly on the bar M8 by the fiat spring 28!). Bar 2'18 includes the right-angular bend 282 as well as an abutment 284 for latching the cam finger 273 in the position of Figure 3, which position is more fully illustrated in Figure 10 which relates to the latch feature associated with the on switch plate Hi6. Bar 28%; is pivotally connected at 288 with a cam link 2923 cooperating with the cam finger 276 in the same manner as the cam link I95. Bar 28% is pivotally connected at 292 with the bend 282, and is pivotally connected at 224 with a link 295 having a hook 292 extending into the groove 3% in the switch plate 2 1%. A tension spring 302 interconnects the arm 2% with the link 296 for holding the hook oi the latter in the groove 3830. Similarly, the lever B84 is interconnected with the link file by a similar spring 3% for holding the hook 192 in the groove i er. It will thus be seen that the off switch plate 2% is actuated through the medium of mechanism identical with that associated with the on switch plate Hit.

Figure 8 illustrates the switch in its on position at which time the bar 238 is arranged to be kicked by the off switch plate 2 36 when its dog 248 drops into the notch 25%. Such shifting of the switch plate 2% will kick the bar 239 and shift the contact strip to the off position, as i1- lustrated in Figure 3.

Gear ill l includes a hub 3% provided with an axial bore 383 for the reception of the pintle 3) formed on the end of a shaft 352 which carries a gear 3M- arranged in mesh with the gear Q3. Pintle 3H3 is rotatable inside the bore 388, while the shaft 3 l 2 extends loosely through a sleeve 3 l 6 and is connected with the minute hand 3H3. Sleeve 38%? is rotatably supported by the dial M and is fixedly connected with a gear 32% arranged in mesh with a gear 322 keyed to the shaft its. The opposite end of the sleeve 3H3 is fixedly connected with the hour hand 324. 3 l 2, sleeve 3&6 in combination with the hands 3 l8 and 324, respectively, are conventional clock parts. Dial M is provided with the usual time divisions 32B illustrated in Figure 1.

An alarm mechanism 328 may be anchored to the dial l4 and is provided with a release 330 arranged in operative relation with a gear 332 arranged in mesh with the gear 32!]. Gear 382 is slidable on a rotatable shaft 3% which rotatably carries a bevel gear 336. Gear 336 is arranged in mesh with a bevel gear 338 which may be rotated through the medium of a shaft 3M which may extend through the wall H3 in the same man-- nor as the shafts 65 and Gear 335 includes a hub A2 provided with. a notch 3% arranged to receive the dog 3% carried by the gear 232. A spring 368 urges the gear 332 in the direction of Shaft the notched hub 342 for moving the gear 332 longitudinally of the shaft 334 when the dog 34B aligns with the notch 34 3. When so aligned, the gear 332 will strike the alarm release 330 for setting the alarm in operation. The alarm mechanism may be manually shut off through the medium of a shaft 350 which may extend through the wall W.

Shaft 334 is connected with the alarm hand 352 which alarm hand is associated with the alarm dial 354 best illustrated in Figure 1.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof will be readily understood. The clock mechanism may be set through the medium of a bevel gear 356 attached to the shaft 32. Bevel gear 355% is arranged in mesh with a small bevel gear 358 rotatable through the medium of a shaft 3%. Shaft 36! may extend through the Wall Til. To set the mechanism for actuating the switch 206 at a preselected time, the disc at is rotated through the medium of the shaft 66 for bringing the selected reading on the dial 58 into registration with the indicating mark 36!? on the dial it, see Figure 1. If it is desired to open the circuit at a preselected time, disc 36 is set through the medium of the shaft fill for bringing the selected time reading on the dial 18 into registration with the indication. 3%. Clock motor 24 will drive the shaft 32 through the medium of gear 88, shaft H10 and gears H32 and H14. Rotation of the shaft 32 rotates the switch plates tilt and 2 16. At the same time, the push rod 552 is rotated counter-clockwise for elevating the cam finger llEl over the abutment Hi2, and the shaft is advanced for shifting the collar I24 from the position of Figure 8 to that of Figure 3. Push rod 210 is also set for advancing the collar 2%. As the switch plate W6 is thrust in the direction of the disc 34, the bar 23G is struck by the plate for shifting the contact strip 22!! into electrical connection with the contact 224. At the same time, such shifting of the switch plate I06 pivots the lever I84 in the direction of the arrow 204 which elevates the cam finger l'lll so that the springs M4 will return the collar I24 to its normal position and reset the push rod The switch 2% will remain closed until the switch plate 246 has been rotated for bringing the dog 248 into registration with the notch 255i. As the switch plate 245 is thrust in the direction of the disc 36, the switch plate strikes the bar 23% for kicking the contact strip 226] to its on position, as illustrated in Figure 3. Push rod 21%! is released in the same manner as the push rod I52 so that the springs 268 will return the collar 256 to its normal position.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described including clockwork rotated shaft, on and off members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and. oif members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and off members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selec tively actuated by said companion on and oil members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and off members and the companion on and oh? members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and cit members, and means for actuating said companion on and off members for operating said switch element.

2. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and off members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and off members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and oif members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and off members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and off members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and off members, means for actuating said companion on and on members for operating said switch element, concentrically arranged on and oif dials, and coaxially arranged shafts operatively connected with the on and off members, respectively, for moving the dials when said on and oif members are rotated on said shaft.

3. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and off members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and off members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and off members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and off members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and off members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and oif members, normally inactive means for selectively actuating said companion on and off members for operating said switch element, and manually actuated means for selectively adjusting said normally inactive means to active positions.

4. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and off members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and oiT members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and oiT members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and off members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and off members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and off members, normally inactive means for selectively actuating said companion on and oif members for operating said switch element, manually actuated means for selectively adjusting said normally inactive means to active positions, and means for selectively returning said normally inactive means to inactive positions after actuation of their respective on and off members.

5. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and off members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and off members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and off members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and off members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and off members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating 1 movement of said companion on and off members, means for actuating said companion on and off members for operating said switch element, said on and off members each including a gear, concentrically arranged on and off dials, and coaxially arranged shafts each connected with one of said dials and geared to one of said gears for operatively connecting the on and off dials with the on and off members, respectively.

6. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and oir members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and oif members to preselected on and off positions, cornpanion on and on members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and off members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperab-le on said on and off members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and off members, normally inactive spring means for selectively actuating said companion on and off members, and manually actuated means for selectively placing said spring means under tension for actuating the companion on and off members.

'7. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and off members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and oif members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and off members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and 01f members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and oil members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and ofi members, normally inactive spring means for selectively actuating said companion on and off members, manually actuated means for selectively placing said spring means under tension for actuating the companion on and off members, and means for shifting said spring means to inactive positions after actuation of said companion on and off members.

8. In a device of the type described including a clockwork rotated shaft, on and on. members rotatably mounted on said shaft including means for individually adjusting said on and off members to preselected on and off positions, companion on and off members slidable on said shaft but keyed thereto for rotation therewith, a switch including a switch element arranged to be selectively actuated by said companion on and off members for respectively closing and opening the switch, means cooperable on said on and off members and the companion on and off members for controlling the switch element actuating movement of said companion on and off members, means for actuating said companion on and off members for operating said switch element, said switch element comprising a pivoted member having a bar positioned between said companion on and off members for selective engagement thereby.

WALTER J. SCHNEIDER, 

